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Original poster

Sorry, I know this has been done before, but... which car to fit three car seats along a single row?

33 replies

neolara · 17/05/2009 16:34

We're expecting no. 3 in the summer and are thinking about which car to get as there is no way we can get three car seats in our ford focus. I've done a number of searches, but a lot of them are quite old now so thought I would ask the question again - which cars can fit three high backed (i.e. not booster seats) along the back row.

So far ones that seem to have been recommeneded in searches I've done include:
Citroen Grand Picasso
Citroen Picasso
Renault Grand Senic
Volkeswagen Touran

Does anyone have any views on the above or can they recommend anything else. Many thanks.

OP posts:
shivster1980 · 17/05/2009 16:53

We have a Fiat Doblo - loads of room and reasonably priced. However we only have one DC so can't say for definate about 3 car seats.

Our friends had a Volkswagon Touran for three kids and now have a Volkswagon Sharan for 4 kids.

Our other friends have a Toyota Avensis. They do fit but a bit of a squash fitting them!

HTH

Rosie29 · 17/05/2009 16:54

We have 3 dc's- one in a infant carrier, one in a forward facing car seat and the other in a high back booster- and have a Picasso. Love it. Not too big to park (nearest town is very busy with narrow streets) but huge inside.

I don't usually have all dc's in back as I have the baby in the front seat, but when dh is with us they fit in the back. I just find it easier to have the infant carrier next to me.
HTH

Loopymumsy · 17/05/2009 20:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

MerlinsBeard · 17/05/2009 20:21

our peugeot 307 sw estate fits 3 across the back

thisisyesterday · 17/05/2009 20:24

i think it depends on what seats you have.

we have a volvo v70 and it can fit 2 big seats and a highback booster in.
i suspect we may be able to fit 3 big seats in, but haven't tried it so can't say for sure.,

forkhandles · 17/05/2009 20:28

we have a Ford Galaxy and I can get three high backed seats along the back with plenty of room. My friend has a Zafira and she can too.

hermionegrangerat34 · 17/05/2009 21:07

I was just coming on to mumsnet to ask the very same question! Since having dd, we now will need a new car if we are all to get in the car together for our holiday this summer...
But slightly more specific, so shall bump this thread to ask: what big estates (NOT people carriers) fit 3 car seats across the back? Dh is insistent that he will not purchase or drive a people carrier! 307 estate is a possibility; perhaps the Passat? Anyone have an estate car with three children in the back?

SpookyMadMummy · 17/05/2009 21:08

We have a Renault Laguna and it fits a Primo Viaggio and Surefix base, high back booster and standard booster in the back.

Fillyjonk · 17/05/2009 21:13

we have a scenic

boring but fine

Fillyjonk · 17/05/2009 21:13

(we have 3 kids too, one in each stage of car seat)

thisisyesterday · 17/05/2009 21:18

hermione, see my previous answer re: estates not mpv!

happywomble · 17/05/2009 21:38

Hermione

We have a passat estate (not current model - 03 one). If the eldest child is old enough for a booster seat (without a back) there is just room to squeeze one in the middle but it is hard to do the middle belt up. Ok for occasional use but a squash to do every day.
You would end up having one child in the front most of the time apart from when you go on holiday when the three would just fit in the back. I have a friend who has 3 children (eldest 4 when youngest born) and has managed to make do with her passat and not buy a people carrier.

The VW Touran has slightly more space in the back and does take 3 car seats more easily. But then the boot is much smaller. But sounds like your DH would not want that..my DH is just the same! He likes his estate car.

The boot of the passat estate (03 model) is huge and we love that feature!

philopastry · 17/05/2009 21:38

we've got a citroen picasso - it is 7 years old now and has never cost us anything repairs wise, been v reliable, loads of space in the boot and can tow a caravan too (probably not relevant in your case but just thought i'd mention it!) It is a bit higher than a normal car so makes getting the kids in and out easier too.

mummyhill · 17/05/2009 21:42

We hve the grand scenic and currently have two high backed boosters. Have had my infant carrier out to have a play to check they will all fit across and it seems ok!

mummyhill · 17/05/2009 21:46

Dh also suggests

Ford Galaxy - VW Sharon, Seat Alhambra (all the same car with a dif badge/name on it)
Ford S max
Renault Espace
Ford Mondeo estate

Original poster
neolara · 17/05/2009 22:13

Thanks for your suggestions everyone.

I'm a bit apprehensive about driving a bus and was wondering which of those mentioned above would be considered a more "normal" sized car.

OP posts:
verygreenlawn · 17/05/2009 22:15

We have a Touran - our second one (updated so better than the first) - fits two high backed boosters plus group one seat no problem. It's pretty boring but feels very safe!

We were very tempted by a Mercedes C class estate but it was very tight - E class is bigger I think though.

Olihan · 17/05/2009 22:22

The C4 Picasso and C4 Grand Picasso will both fit 3 seats of any type across the back as they have 3 individual, full sized seats with 3 point belts. The ordinary C4 Picasso isn't too big, length wise but does feel a bit wider than an ordinary hatchback when you first drive it.

We have the Grand Picasso because we wanted the extra seats in the back and it is a bit longer but doesn't feel overly huge. I do a lot of driving down windy country lanes that can be quite narrow and it's fine.

Granny23 · 17/05/2009 22:26

We have recently bought a 3 year old Renault Megane Scenic so that we can take all three grandchildren at once. It takes 3 car seats easily on the back seat but also has two seats hidden in the boot which can be popped up allowing 2 x grandparents, 2 x mums and 3 x car seats. It does feel abit 'BIG' when driving/parking but as I have got used to it I love it! Fabulous, all round view, very comfortable, huge cargo space (for the drum kit) when seats are folded down. As an aging 5'1" arthritic wrinkly, I find it exceptionally easy to get in and out of.

Sidge · 17/05/2009 22:34

We've got a Ford S-Max, with 3 car seats in the middle row.

For an MPV it's incredbly un-bus like and is fab to drive. If you don't need all 7 seats up the boot is massive. If they are up the boot is obviously much smaller, but I still have enough room for my pushchair and a couple of bags.

I love my car

Olihan are you pleased with your Grand Picasso? Our S-Max is due to be returned early next year and we can't afford the down payment on another one (sob) so are looking at the Grand Picasso as it seems comparable space and performance wise.

domesticallychallenged · 17/05/2009 22:36

Another SMax fan here! Love it, it's great. 3 children across the back seat with no knuckle grazing. Lovely to drive, loads of space. Big fan

Olihan · 17/05/2009 22:45

Sidge, I LOVE it . We also looked at the S-Max but couldn't justify the extra ££££ for what was essentially the same car. We've got the 1.8 VTR Plus (not the absolute top of the range, the next one down) and it has all sorts of nice bits like trays in the back of the seats and integral window shades. I think the interior is a bit more 'plasticky' than the S-Max but with 3 dcs we decided the height of luxury inside wasn't a big concern!

Olihan · 17/05/2009 22:47

Oh, and it's lovely to drive, light, easy to steer, good visibilty, easy to park. It also has a panoramic windscreen which takes some getting used to but makes it really, really light inside.

Sidge · 17/05/2009 22:49

Thanks Olihan, that's good to know!

I absolutely love our S-Max and it suits our family so well; we have it on the Motability scheme, so it's due for a change early next year and we can't afford another one so we need to find something comparable. The Grand Picasso is the only thing I can find that looks similar, with less of a down payment than the S-Max would be.

Do you find it reliable? I know Citroens used to have reliability concerns but I think they've pulled their socks up a bit and are now much better!

I will have to take one for a test drive

(Sorry to OP for slight hijack!)

juneybean · 17/05/2009 22:53

I managed to fit two stage 2 with a bumper in the middle and I've got a Citroen Xsara HDI.

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